Album Reviews
Scranton’s favorite sons return with their eighth album, Everything I Ever Saw, a lyrically intimate record anchored by the enduring power of friendship. Co-frontmen Greg Barnett and Tom May lay their contrasting life changes bare - Barnett getting married and becoming a father for the first time, while May navigated a divorce - creating the band's most personal album to date.
Musically, little has changed in Menzingers territory, but that’s hardly a flaw. Opener “Chance Encounters” immediately hits with one of the record’s strongest choruses, while “Better Angels” seamlessly bridges their earlier pop-punk roots with what has become their signature heartland rock. Producer Will Yip brings fine-tuned polish to tracks like “Other People’s Money,” which marries sharp commentary on populist grifting and billionaire excess with a downright gorgeous melody.
The album only stumbles slightly when predictability sets in. Mid-album tracks like “Breathe With Me” and “When She Enters My Dreams” float by harmlessly, but aren’t distinctive enough to make a truly lasting impression. A bit more dynamic variety - like what is being offered on “Parade Day” - would have turned Everything I Ever Saw into an absolute gem. But hell, that's nitpicking. Everything I Ever Saw is another solid addition to the band’s growing discography.
Everything I Ever Saw track listing:
- Chance Encounters
- Better Angels
- Romanticism
- Other People’s Money
- Gasoline & Matches
- The Fool
- Nobody’s Heroes
- Breathe With Me
- When She Enters My Dreams
- Parade Day
- Everything I Ever Saw
Lacking the talent to actually play in a band, Tom decided he would write about bands instead. Turns out his writing skills are mediocre at best as well.
